Tagged: maple

Did you watch the Oscars? I like watching the Oscars and Emmys (but generally hate the Grammys). I know the awards shows are always unfortunately long, and pretty boring during some parts, and there are always lots of screw ups because…live television, but it’s kinda fun to see what everyone is wearing, what outlandish and/or political stuff people talk about in their speeches, and see people actually having some personality other than the last character they played. I actually thought this was one of the better Oscars in recent memory. The whole “let’s have an offensive comedian host” thing was getting old, and I think Ellen fit the bill pretty well.

And call me a jerk, but I still cannot stop laughing about the whole Travolta mispronunciation situation and subsequent reactions. It’s hilarious.

Anyway…for the past few years, I’ve noticed a slew of recipes/photos of these little triangle cookies floating around the interwebs during March. Considering I hadn’t the slightest clue what they were, I figured I’d do a little research and test them out. Enter: hamantaschen. Hamantaschen, or Haman’s pockets, are apparently a staple of the Jewish holiday Purim. There’s obviously a lot of meaning and history behind Purim, but from what I gather, there is also much feasting involved. I like feasting. Since I’m no expert on Purim, you should do your own research to learn more. Start here.

Hamantaschen remind me of rugelach in a lot of ways, but the dough is heartier and the cookies are obviously larger. The dough is delicious (uh, hello…butter and cream cheese?) and not too sweet, while also taking enough of a back seat to let whatever filling you choose be the star of the show. And they pack up nicely, which is good because you probably shouldn’t eat them all yourself. But you totally can if you want to. I won’t judge you. It’s Fat Tuesday, so you have the perfect excuse. Continue reading →

These didn’t quite make it up in time for all those festive holiday recipe posts, but they’re still worth your while. Toasted pecans and maple syrup help give them a wintry, warm taste that is a great companion to your morning/afternoon/evening tea or coffee. Best of all, they’re TINY. Which means you can eat a few without feeling like you’ve ruined the age-old new year’s resolution of not eating junk food. Although, if you ask me, things made from scratch with real, pronounceable ingredients are hardly junk food. Besides, didn’t somebody somewhere sometime once say that if you don’t treat yourself once in a while, you’re twice as likely to “cheat” on any diet/exercise plan? Treat yo self.

In other news, it hasn’t stopped snowing in three days. Oh, and on Monday, the expected HIGH for the day is -8. Yeah. Continue reading →

But first, I have to throw in a quick shout-out to the awesome CVS minute-clinic nurses who gave me my flu shot on Monday. They were totally awesome, didn’t make fun of me for being a 28-year-old who hates needles and has never had a flu shot, and were excited to read this blog. Thank you!

I’m one of those people who LOVES pumpkin and won’t stop baking with it until the last possible day (which I always assume is like…Christmas eve.) Pumpkin sort of embodies fall/autumn. It just pairs so stinking well with those winter/fall spices that you might as well just keep using it until it’s socially unacceptable. Continue reading →